Melbourne Storm wing Suliasi Vunivalu who will play in the NRL Grand Final today was spotted playing in a national schoolboy carnival for Lelean Memorial School three years ago.
Melbourne Storm recruitment manager Paul Bunn spotted Vunivalu when driving towards Nausori in search of the one of the hottest young talents in schoolboy rugby.
Vunivalu was given a two year scholarship by St Kentigern College in Auckland.
In New Zealand Vunivalu's try scoring feats attracted a lot of interest from New Zealand Rugby Union and also top French rugby clubs.
Vunivalu later went to Melbourne with St Kentigerns to play a trial game before a Rebels game where the Storm used Wise Kativerata, who played first grade with St George, Souths and Parramatta, to speak with Vunivalu's parents.
Vunivalu had just 27 games of league under his belt before his NRL debut.
Kativerata extolled the virtues of the Storm's welfare program, while Sisa Waqa - then playing for the Storm - also spoke to Vunivalu's family about the club and the city during several phone calls.
Bunn says his main objective was not to watch any footy while driving towards Nausori three years ago but just wanted to get Suli to sign.
The NRL grand final will be played between the Storm and the Sharks at 8.15 tonight.
Source: Daily Telegraph
